Combination trailer body for trucks



COMBINATION TRAILER BODY FOR TRUCKS Filed Dec. 3, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l M" WIN W i I Q W & Q

R ml! e I INVENTOR. Fa40/7 D. flea/ye Feb. 20, 1945. R. D. GEORGE 2,369,890

TRAILER BODY FOR TRUCKS *IIWMH 35 l Win 2/ H i Hi mm W111- I l v I2b into three compartments 120, I211 and He. The tank compartments are of substantially the same depth but the end compartments I20 and I2e are higher than intermediate compratment I 2d. As best shown in Fig. 1, front compartment I2c extends over the rear wheels IIIa of the tractor, rear compartment I2e extends over the rear wheels I3 of the trailer and the intermediate compartment I 2d isunderslung between the front and rear wheels. Liquid is drained from the tank through discharge valves I4 and I5 mounted in the bottom of intermediate compartment I2d. Liquid in the front compartment I2c is drained into the intermediate compartment through a manifold pipe I6 controlled by valve I1 and liquid in the rear compartment I2e is drained into the intermediate compartment through a manifold pipe I8 controlled by valve I9.

The tank compartments are integrally connected to provide a rigid structure. As best shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 each compartment is reinforced by longitudinal partitions I2f and the relatively long intermediate compartment is further reinforced by transverse partitions I 2g.

- Each of the reinforcing partitions is provided with openings l2h through which liquids and gases or vapors pass and relatively larger openings I22 through which workmen have access to the various sections of the tank compartments. workmen enter the respective compartments through manholes I27. By raising the end com- 1 partments I and I 2e ample clearance is provided for wheels Illa and I3 and the center of gravity of the loaded tanks is substantially low.

surmounting the respective tank compartments I2c, I211 and I2c are freight decks 20, 2I and 22. At each side of the freight decks are vertical side boards 23 and 24. Extending transversely between the side boards and adjacent the end most manholes I27 are end-boards and 2B. The freight decks are preferably separated by transverse partitions 21 and 28. The side boards 23 and 24 are cut away, as at 29, to substantially the level of deck 2| to facilitate loading the trailer. The openings 29 are normally closed by gates or panels 30 which slide in vertical channels 3| at each end of openings 29. Hoods 32 cover and protect the intermediate manholes I 27', access being had to the manholes through openings 23a in side board 23. Openings 23a are normally closed by hinged covers 33.

By constructing the tank I2 so that intermediate compartment I2d is underslung between front wheels I 0a and rear wheels I3, its feight deck 2I is brought to substantially the same level as conventional loading docks, thus facilitating transfer of freight to the trailer. Moreover, this unique tank construction materially lowers its center of gravity when the trailer is loaded making the vehicle more stable on the road. It will be observed that when a load, suchas wheat, is carried on the freight decks it assumes substan tially the shape of the tank. This permits proper load distribution. In addition to the above the unique disposition of manholes I21 permits the tank to be divided by transverse partitions so that the respective compartments are relatively short. This greatly reduces any tendency of the liquid to surge within the tanks and permits it to be made of lighter weight material facilitating fabrication of the tank and obtaining a substantial saving in the cost of construction.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the app nded claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a trailer vehicle, the combination of a lower tank portion divided by transverse partitions into front, rear and intermediate compartments, the latter compartment extending substantially below the front and rear compartments and having its top surface at a substantially lower level than the top surface of said front and rear compartments, and an upper freight carrying deck surmounting each of the tank compartments.

2. In a trailer vehicle, the combination of a lower tank portion divided by transverse partitions into front, rear and-intermediate compartments, the latter compartment extending substantially below the front and rear compartments and having its top surface at a substantially lower level than the top surface of said front and rear compartments, an upper freight carrying deck surmounting the tank, and front, rear and side walls extending to a selected height above the freight deck, whereby the portion of the freight deck overlaying the intermediate tank compartment is relatively deep, while the portions overlaying the front and rear tank compartments are relatively shallow.

3. In a trailer vehicle, the combination of a lower tank portion divided by transverse partitions into front, rear and intermediate compartments, the latter compartment extending substantially below th front and rear compartments and having its top surface at a substantially lower level than the top surface of said front and rear compartments, an upper freight carrying deck surmounting the tank, front, rear and side walls extending to a selected height above the freight deck, and transverse panels separating the portions of the freight deck overlaying the front and rear tank compartments from the portion thereof overlaying the intermediate tank compartment.

4. In a trailer vehicle, the combination of a lower tank portion divided by transverse partitions into relatively small front and rear compartments and a relatively large intermediate compartment, the latter compartment extending substantially below the front and rear compartments and having its top surface at a substantially lower lever than the top surfaces of the front and rear compartments to lower the center of gravity of the truck substantially below the centers of said end compartments, an upper freight carrying deck surmounting the tank, and front, rear and side walls extending to a selected height above the freight deck.

5. In a trailer vehicle, the combination of a lower tank portion divided by transverse partitions into front, rear and intermediate compartments, the latter compartment extending substantially below the front and rear compartments and having its top surface at a substantially lower level than the top surface of said front and rear compartments, perforate partitions dividing the intermediate tank portion transversely to inhibit surging of the liquid therein when the tank is tilted,- an upper freight carrying deck surmounting the tank, and front, rear and side walls extending to a selectedheight above the freight deck.

RALPH D. GEORGE. 

